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Ever thought about playing roller derby, reffing, or volunteering? Iron Range Maidens’ Registration Night is Tuesday, February 13 from 6:30-7:30 at Robert J. Elkington Middle School in Grand Rapids. See our Facebook event page for details. Can’t make it? No problem! Email us at info@ironrangemaidens.com or send us a message through Facebook.

Party with the Iron Range Maidens at the Grand Rapids Moose Lodge on April 1 from 4pm until close. There will be a taco bar, bake sale, silent auction, split the pot, raffle drawings and dancing! Your support will help us keep our ticket prices low and off-set the cost of practice space.

4-7pm – Taco Bar; $7 per plate; kids 5 and under are $2

7pm-close – Live music from “Naked @ Noon” with special guest “Howie” on drums

The Iron Range Maidens hit the road on Saturday the 9th to play Bemidji’s Babe City Rollers. The bout was very physical, hard hitting and fast paced. Both teams showed their strength and endurance with short rosters of Bemidji’s 9 skaters and the Maiden’s 10 skaters. There were multiple lead changes throughout the bout, but in the end, the Maidens were victorious by a final score of 162 to 139.

The 2016 season is shaping up to be a great year for local roller derby. With two wins under their belt, the Maidens aren’t slowing down. On May 14th the Hodgins-Berardo Arena doors will open at 5:30pm to bring you the Maidens home opener against St. Cloud’s SCAR Dolls. Tickets are $5 with ages 5 and under free. See the event page on Facebook for details.

Follow the Iron Range Maidens on Facebook and support your local roller derby team and come watch a great sport.

The Iron Range Maidens opened the 2016 bouting season on February 27 versus the Harbor City Roller Dames Shipwreckers in Duluth. It was a hard fought bout, but the Maidens came out on top by the score of 178 to 125.

Next up for the Maidens is a bout against their neighbors to the west, the Babe City Rollers, on April 9 in Bemidji. See the event Facebook page for details.

The Maidens open their home season on May 14 against the SCAR Dolls of St. Cloud at Hodgins-Berardo Arena in Coleraine. For the most up-to-date bout info, see the event Facebook page.

The Iron Range Maidens and Attackonites have been blessed for the past several years with an incredible and talented volunteer bout photographer in Wes Bailey. Several months ago, he received a devastating cancer diagnosis. Like many families in this situation, Wes and his wife Courtney are facing some financial challenges, and could use some support. You’ll notice the link at the right side of the page – please consider a donation – even the smallest amount is welcome!

From his YouCaring site (by Thwakonite):
My friend Wes and his wife Courtney had been enjoying the good life with their 3 dogs in Grand Rapids, MN when he started having strange symptoms and sensations inside his head during the fall of 2014. Wes saw a doctor at Grand Itasca Clinic who also thought they sounded unusual and potentially serious and ordered an MRI. To everyone’s surprise, it showed a tumor deep in the center of Wes’s brain. A second MRI at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis revealed an additional suspicious area in the left frontal portion. This part was biopsied in December and showed a type of tumor called an astrocytoma with anaplastic features, which is not currently considered a curable cancer. Wes’s case is also more difficult to treat than others because of the locations of the tumor- none of it can be removed. Wes and Courtney have handled this diagnosis with amazing grace, positive attitude, and a determination to “pack lots of love, appreciation, learning, and enjoyment into every single day”.

The December biopsy was followed by a long recovery period during which it was difficult for Wes to speak. The first treatment was six weeks of radiation, five days a week, in Hibbing. That did not control new growth completely, so currently Wes is receiving oral and intravenous chemotherapy in Grand Rapids. He and Courtney still need to travel to Minneapolis for MRIs and appointments with his neuro-oncologist.

Wes had his first photography exhibit at MacRostie Art Center in downtown Grand Rapids during April 2015. This exhibit showcased the spirit and athleticism of the sport of roller derby. If you missed it, you can see the photos at https://www.flickr.com/photos/wes_bailey/sets/72157652477208475 and can purchase a framed print- just contact Wes. Unfortunately, treatment, subsequent side effects, and the uncertainty of not being able to commit to anything beyond a couple weeks have hindered Wes’s plans to convert his passion and talent for photography into a business.

Luckily, Courtney’s job provides good medical insurance and enough flexibility for her to be with Wes at treatments. However, with Wes unable to work they are having trouble getting by on just one income. Medical bills, associated travel, veterinary bills (mostly for their beloved old gal Lula), an upcoming long-overdue septic repair, and assorted other costs have depleted their savings and added additional stress to their life.

Everyone who has met Wes and Courtney know what an incredible team they are and can see the love they share for each other, their dogs, family and friends, and the world around them. Any amount you can afford to contribute will be used to offset the unexpected expenses and lost income associated with this diagnosis and will help them reduce their stress and enjoy their time together.

Wes and Courtney would like to thank everyone for the love and help they have already received and deeply appreciate all support, financial and otherwise.

Grand Rapids Area Roller Derby has just begun its 2015 season, and now is a great time to join! We’re currently practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-9:00pm at Hodgins Berardo Arena in Coleraine. Stop by and check us out!

Skaters must identify as female and be at least 19 years of age with current medical insurance.

Referees, who also skate, can be either male or female, and must be at least 19 years of age with current medical insurance.

Want to get involved but don’t want to skate? We are always looking for league volunteers for bout days and more! Stop by practice or email info@ironrangemaidens.com.

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Grand Rapids Area Roller Derby Association was formed in October 2010, and was the first roller derby league on Minnesota’s Iron Range. Our mission is to provide an opportunity to empower women in the greater Grand Rapids area through athleticism, sportsmanship, supporting our fellow teammates and giving back to the local community, as participants in a player owned and run flat-track derby league.